By Whitney Cox | [email protected]

Seventeen-year-old Yesenia Rosales, an aspiring orthopedic surgeon, received the honor of representing Granger High School at The Congress of Future Medical Leaders in Boston, Massachusetts this past June. 

The National Academy of Future Physicians and Medical Scientists was founded in order to identify, inspire and assist prospective medical students at the earliest possible age. The Congress is held annually to gather young delegates from around the nation, provide them with inspiration to achieve their goals and offer additional experiences that will help them acquire the necessary skills. 

Rosales was nominated by her math teacher, Kristi Mcmurtrey, who was impressed with Rosales’ initiative in taking Secondary Math 3 as a junior. “I was impressed with her. She is very loving and accepting of others, which I think allows her to influence people more than she thinks,” said Mcmurtrey.

“I have always, always, always wanted to work in the medical field, just because I have this passion to help people and make people feel better,” Rosales said. Although she recognizes minor parts of her plans may change, Rosales is determined to become a surgeon and is currently thinking she will pursue orthopedic surgery. 

The conference helped to solidify Rosales’ determination and further instilled confidence to achieve her goal. She spent the better part of three days hearing award-winning experts in medicine and science confirm to her and fellow delegates that they have the ability to accomplish what they set out to do.

“I know it’s going to be hard work,” Rosales acknowledged, “but these people who spoke to all of us told us that it’s possible and that no matter who you are, where you come from, you can do it. It doesn’t matter what you’re going through, how much money you have, where you live. It’s possible, no matter what.”

Speakers at each annual congress include the nation’s leading experts in medical research, young award-winning medical students still in pursuit of their dreams, and even people who have benefitted from leading technology. Among others the 2018 Congress included Larry Hester, recipient of a bionic eye; Deepika Kurup, grand prize winner of the 2012 Discover Education 3M Top Young Scientist Challenge; and Dr. Mario Capecchi, winner of the Big Four International Science Honors, including the 2007 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine and the 2001 National Medal of Science. 

Rosales’ favorite speaker, Brendon Burchard, “The world’s leading high-performance coach,” inspired her by saying, “First it is an intention. Then a behavior. Then a habit. Then a practice. Then a second nature. Then it is simply who you are.” 

Rosales’ favorite part of the conference was being able to witness a live surgery. A hysterectomy was projected on screen for the delegates to see intricate details, hear the surgeon explain the process and ask any questions. 

Next year, Rosales plans to return to the conference as an alumna to learn about opportunities available to her, as a delegate of the Congress, upon graduation. Specifically, she hopes to one day travel with other delegates to countries with people in need of medical assistance. 

For more information, see futuredocs.com.